By Hanna Allan

After you sit yourself down in Mile-End’s Café Resonance, you may find it difficult to leave without a full tummy and the coffee jitters.

Kind to animals and your wallet, Resonance is an entirely vegan establishment, dishing out cruelty-free all-day breakfasts and baked goods. Resonance is underground, a semi-basement on Ave. du Parc.

I frequent Resonance because it is one of the only fully vegan cafés. My favorite is the breakfast sandwich — stuffed with tofu scramble on crisp and buttery bakery bread, with an extra of tempeh bacon, at a measly $8 (tax included).

The Baristas, who exude coffee-shop charisma and a distant kindness, double as chefs and serve the food. Along with the Baristas’ curated playlists to soothe your cold heart, the café features live music, usually jazz, starting at 9 p.m., a good time to dive into the gluten-free rice bowl, at under $11.

If you find yourself wanting a break, a place to compose your journal, or check your email, and a grumbling stomach, scoot on over. The café has outlets for computers, and free WiFi.

The atmosphere is kind of church basement-y, with lights strung along the walls and exhibits of local art. The kitchen and coffee machines are visible, as is a dessert showcase, displaying carrot cake and chocolate macaroons. Please do yourself a favour and try the cranberry oatmeal cookie.

Café Resonance, 5175a Parc Ave. near Fairmount, open 10am to midnight, daily. resonancecafe.com/ 514-360-9629.

Hanna Allan is a feature-writing student at Dawson College.